After She She Stopped Loving Him

Chapter 36

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lan’s face was flushed with fever, his lips pale, but none of it could dull the sharp, surprised light that flared in his eyes when he saw Yolanda.

Yolanda turned, offered a brief thanks to the lingering crew member, and waited until they were alone. Then she stepped inside, closing the door behind her and turning the lock.

The room was cramped, barely large enough for the queen–sized bed that dominated the space. His opent backpack and suitcase served as a makeshift closet nearby.

Yolanda dropped two bags of medical supplies onto the mattress, her anger palpable. “Take your shirt off. Let

the see.

He was silent for a beat before slowly sitting on the edge of the bed. He pulled his shirt over his head, revealing a map of dark bruises across his muscular back. It was a stark testament to how painful that fall must

have been

She drew a sharp breath, her hand flying to his forehead. He was still burning up. “I told you to call me if you didn’t feel well,” she said, frantically digging through her bag for the fever reducers.

“I thought you… wouldn’t want to hear from me,” he murmured.

Yolanda went still. She had been avoiding him all week. After all, things had been awkward since the last time. She’d needed space to clear her head, never imagining he’d been having a rough time quietly.

“Just take these first,” she said, her voice softening as she held the pills to his lips. “And don’t worry about Wayne. He’ll be taken care of.”

He sat on the edge of the bed, looking up at her with an unreadable expression.

Before she could wonder if something was on her face, his arms circled her waist. He buried his face against her stomach.

She stood frozen for a moment, then her hand came up to tentatively touch his hair. It was coarse but soft, and carried the clean scent of recent rain.

he nuzzled his head against her waist like a large, wounded animal

her. Yolanda pushed him away, grabbed his hand, and pressed the pills into his palm. before turning to

down at the medicine in

line.

him. “Take them. Get the fever down first. There are anti- inflammatories in the bag. Take two. And you can spray the bruise spray yourself,” she instructed, her

the water silently and swallowed the

7:44 Thu, Sep 11

Chapter 36

35 vouchers

feeling flushed, Yolanda tugged at her collar, fanning herself for

door.

rise to follow, but her words stopped him cold. “Stay here and

his scene when his assistant hurried over and whispered. “Ms.

top actress, Wayne had been riding high lately. Everyone on set knew he had a grudge against lan. And that was why they would have

was about to ask what Rachael wanted when a stinging slap landed hard

Yolanda in the hat and mask.

said, “Rachael

with Rachael, and she had just called. And

Wayne? I’ve been meeting with your sugar mommy’s

His assistant leaned in, whispering urgently, “Ms. Owens told you not to make waves.

what gives you the right to lecture

just say I’m on good terms with the executives at Starlight Entertainment. I haven’t even brought up the drugging incident yet. Keep this up, and I’ll have you replaced

that. And Yolanda’s confidence shook him. Is she lan’s real backer, not just his agent? But she’s pretty. He’s lucked out with a woman

tense. “Wayne, Ms. Owens is furious. Maybe it’s better to let

covering his reddening cheek. “My apologies. I

had no support, but even Wayne had been

backer. Ian has his. Next time,

He wanted nothing more than to wipe that smug look off her

watched the entire scene unfold, stunned that the usually